Letter from Dr. Albert Sobel, Biochemistry Dept., Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn, to LP RE: Looking forward to LP's visit and lecture at the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn. Sobel has been asked to introduce LP, so requests a copy of his vita. [Letter from Wulf to Sobel October 12, 1956] [Filed under LP Speeches: 1956s.32]

Letter from LP to David Tyler, University of Puerto Rico, RE: Informs that he sent a strong letter of recommendation of Tyler to Dr. Pennes. Mentions his new ranch. [Letter from Pennes to LP September 24, 1956, Letter from LP to Pennes October 8, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Tyler, David), #408.11]

Letter from LP to George M. Guest, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, RE: Explains that he will not be in San Francisco at the same time as Guest, but hopes that Guest will visit Pasadena. Regrets that he will be unable to visit Guest in Cincinnati anytime soon. [Letters from Guest to LP September 17, 1956, October 12, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (G: Correspondence, 1956), #140.20]

Letter from LP to Harry H. Pennes, Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, RE: Strongly recommends David Tyler for the position to which he applied. [Letter from LP to Tyler October 8, 1956, Letter from Tyler to LP February 21, 1957] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Tyler, David), #408.11]

Letter from LP to Ileen E. Stewart, American Institute of Biological Sciences, RE: Agrees with Dr. Itano that Dr. Kirkwood's summary of his talks can be omitted from the symposium "Molecular Structure and Biological Specificity." [Letters from Stewart to LP October 2, 1956, November 14, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (A: Organizational Correspondence (Am - Am)), #10.3]

Letter from LP to J. English, Yale University, RE: Looks forward to receiving the T. B. Johnson samples. [Letter from English to LP October 2, 1956, Letter from LP to English October 24, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (E: Correspondence, 1956), #112.22]

Letter from LP to James H. McInerny. [Letter from McInerny to LP September 27, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (M: Correspondence, 1956), #257.1]

8 October 1956

Mr. James H. McInerny

P.O. Box 406

Southold, L.I., N.Y.

Dear Mr. McInerny:

I have received your letter of 27 September, and the paper ["]The Effect of Fluorides on the Human Body" by Charles A. Brusch.

I think that the paper by Charles A. Brusch has no value whatever. The distinction between natural fluorides and artificial fluorides that he makes is meaningless. Calcium fluoride in solution is completely ionized, as is sodium fluoride. The effect of the fluoride ion on the human body has to be exactly the same for a solution of sodium fluoride as for a solution of calcium fluoride.

I could point out many statements in the paper that have no significance to the question of fluoridation of water, or are simply incorrect. For example, the statement about the greater solubility of artificial fluorides than natural fluorides in water has no significance, because the amount of fluoride that is added to water in the fluoridation of water is so small that the solubility product of even the less soluble fluorides is not reached, and the physiological effect of fluoride ion is not at all influenced by the larger solubility of sodium fluoride than of calcium fluoride. I do not think that the statement that fluoride acts as a flux combining with calcium, magnesium, etc. has any significance. The reference to coval[e]nt bonds is presumably simply an error; I do not think that it matters whether the bonds in a molecule are covalent bonds or are not covalent bonds, so far as the effect of fluoride ion in solution goes.

It is my opinion that the people who are objecting to the use of fluoridated water do not understand chemistry or medicine.

Sincerely yours,

Linus Pauling:W

Letter from LP to John Kendrew, Cavendish Laboratory, RE: Says he has no man to recommend to Kendrew to work on his myoglobin project. Goes on to talk about his family and his protein project. [Note from Kendrew to LP September 25, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Karplus, Martin), #197.6]

Letter from LP to Prof. W. E. Parham, University of Minnesota, RE: Invites Parham on behalf of Prof. Niemann and Prof. Roberts to visit Pasadena to give a lecture series. [Letter from Parham to LP October 17, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (P: Correspondence, 1956), #313.4]

Letter from LP to Simon L. Ruskin RE: Thanks for the letter and the reprint which has been interesting. [Letter from Ruskin to LP September 27, 1956] [Filed under LP Science: Box #11.088, Folder #88.13]

Letter from Richard Gordon, Funk & Wagnalls Universal Standard Encyclopedia, to LP RE: Is disappointed that LP has declined the invitation to be a member of the company's Consulting and Advisory Board. Requests a recommendation of another person who may be suitable for the position. [Letter sfrom LP to Gordon October 1, 1956, October 22, 1956] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (G: Correspondence, 1956), #140.20]